... this was such a mediocre conclusion to such a great vampire series. Yes, once again, I AM called "SubspeciesRaduFan," but even I have to admit that this is where the series is at its weakest point. Anders Hove is a still a great actor and a terrific evil vampire (even better than Bela Lugosi or Christopher Lee, IMO), but his demise was way too final. So, here's a short summary: Rebecca and Mel drive Michelle and some girl who was rescued from Radu in the previous film away from the castle. Along the way, they get into a car crash, and everyone except Michelle (obviously, since she's a vampire) dies. Meanwhile, Radu is resurrected yet again after suffering a triple vampire death of silver bullets, sunlight, and impalement on wood. The car wreck is discovered by a young woman named Ana (Ioana Abur), who takes Michelle to Doctor Niculescu (Mihai Dinvale), who says he'll modify her vampirism so she can go out in the sun, but he has a secret agenda of his own. Radu seeks the help of his fledgling, Ash (Jonathon Morris) and Ash's fledgling Serena (Floriela Grappini) to get the Bloodstone back and to save Michelle.I was warned to stay away from this one, but I bought "Subspecies: The Epic Collection," and I just couldn't avoid it. All the other films were great, so I neglected the warning. Besides, I already made plans to see it. The movie wasn't bad, but it was unsatisfying and mediocre. Plus a lot of the eroticism and Gothic atmosphere was taken away. Never thought I'd rate a Subspecies movie this, but ...5/10

Subspecies can do no wrong. (V will be the next test). So you think Radu could not have come back this way....HEY....he is the ultimate vampire....The Master....and, like how many times has Dracula (not even half as creepy) and Frankenstein (not nearly as sharp) returned....with even feebler stories. Of course he's back...and thank goodness for the return of Anders Hove and Denice Duff, as they are the foundation of the Subspecies series...and so good at it. This holds up well to the previous 3 Subspecies movies, although there may be a shortage of story-line, I mean if that is what you are watching for. (I didn't miss it too much, but the person watching with me thought it needed more plot.) But there has to be something held back for next time...right? Buy this movie, watch it until it wears out, and buy it again. This is how we get "Subspecies V" made for us.

I d'know, this one just didn't grab me like the wonderful second and third films of the series. Maybe I'm not quite sure the crossover with Full Moon's other fang epic, "Vampire Journals", worked smoothly, or maybe I'm reacting to the loss of several of the series regulars. But Huff and Hove are again just terrific as Michelle and Radu, with Ion Haiduc reprising the likable role of Lt. Marin (with a twist!); and the creepy Vitalis Institute, where vampires are strapped to tables and experimented on like lab rabbits, is a nasty notion indeed.The big payoff of this one for fans of the series, though, has to be Radu's unswerving devotion to Michelle, and seeing it *finally* returned by her, however briefly. Michelle desires to be cured of her vampirism but is terrified by the Institute's agonizing treatments, and Radu, hearing her psychic cry for help, instantly shadows to her rescue. The moment in which he appears like an avenging spirit at the Institute's gate and swears, like Mick Jagger's Satan, to "lay your souls to waste" unless his fledgling is released, is simply magnificent. The real gem, though, is Michelle's own response on realizing she was used as bait to lure Radu into a trap. If you're like me and have been agonizing over their relationship through the first three movies, respecting her but aching with sympathy for her spurned paramour, you will just stand and applaud when you see and hear what she does. OK, it doesn't last, but it wouldn't be in character for her if it did; and for that moment I forgave her a lot of her past offenses against one of my all-time favorite vampires.This ending sure looks final, but check out Ted Nicolaou's comments in the attached "FM Videozone"! There's hope!(Postscript: by now we know that the term "Subspecies" refers not to vampires but to Radu's little blood-born servitors, who are responsible for several very timely rescues. We only know that, though, because we read the tape boxes/laserdisc sleeves; they're never called that name by anyone in any of the movies, and indeed are scarcely noticed or referred to at all. Wouldn't you think that if they're deemed important enough to name the entire series after, they should've gotten a little more attention by now?...)

I'm a huge fan of the "Subspecies" movies and I was very excited when I saw the fourth film in the video store, so I quickly picked it up and I wasn't let down at all! The fourth installment is probably the best one out of all the "Subspecies" movies. It takes place right after the third one and it's one exciting scene after another! Anders Hove is the best vampire, and he deserves an Oscar! "Radu" lives!!!!!! Great movie, I recommend this to everyone.